Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal are among the big names in tennis to take part in a special exhibition on the eve of the Australian Open to raise money for the victims of Australia's flood disaster. All-time Grand Slam champion Federer, world number one Nadal, Kim Clijsters, Lleyton Hewitt, Novak Djokovic and Pat Rafter are among the elite players who will play in the Rally for Relief match at Melbourne's Rod Laver Arena on Sunday.
The heart-rending scenes of Queensland's floods which have left 15 people dead and inundated Australia's third-largest city Brisbane have shaken the international tennis fraternity, gathering in Melbourne for Monday's season-opening Grand Slam. Nadal said he was delighted to be able to contribute in some way to the flood victims. Hewitt, Australia's two-time Grand Slam champion, said it was time for the tennis community to do their bit for those affected. Former Australian Test cricketer Shane Warne is also trying to organise a Twenty20 game to aid the flood relief.
England's cricketers have also donated a slice of their match fee from Wednesday's T20 international against Australia and star batsman Kevin Pietersen is auctioning bats and shirts he used in the recent Ashes series. Seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong, in Australia for next week's Tour Down Under, said on his Twitter site that he would be pledging $50,000 to the relief efforts.